KARACHI:
Former Zimbabwe batsman and Pakistan’s new batting coach Grant Flower has praised Pakistan cricket for its ‘flair’, which, according to him, sets the country apart from teams like England and Zimbabwe.
Flower, along with fielding coach-cum-trainer Grant Luden, spoke to the media during the training camp for the country’s series against Sri Lanka, during which he commented that the team just needed a bit of fine-tuning.
“One of the best things about Pakistani cricket is its flair and I’ll never take that away from anyone,” said the 43-year-old Flower in Lahore on Friday.
“They don’t play like the Englishmen or Zimbabweans, which is one of the best things about them. The national team just needs a bit of fine-tuning and consistency in its play. I rate Pakistan very highly and we all need to get cracking as it’s an exciting time.”
However, Flower added that even though Pakistan possesses a talented lot, the players’ potential was not being utilised to the fullest so far, a flaw that needs to be worked on.
Flower has represented Zimbabwe in 67 Tests, making 3,457 runs, including a double ton against Pakistan. H1e also picked up 25 wickets in the longest format of the game.
Additionally, he scored 6,571 runs in 221 ODIs at an average of 33.52 and starred with the ball in the limited overs format, claiming 104 scalps.
When asked why he chose to come to Pakistan given the cultural differences, he replied, “The challenge of being at a different place brought me here. I had three good years of coaching with Zimbabwe and it was time to move on and develop my own coaching career, while evolving as a person in the process.”
Flower also assessed that there is a good blend of senior players and exciting young talented cricketers in the team and that he wanted to get to know the players first before fixing their game. After that, he would work on all of them individually.
Focus is on 2015 World Cup: Luden
Luden said that he had had a good five years with the Bangladesh team, but was now looking forward to the challenge of making a difference in Pakistan.
“My first objective is to have a look at the players and see how they react to our drills and then I’ll try to make those sessions more attractive and enjoyable,” said Luden.
“The focus is on the 2015 World Cup. I’ll try to have us prepared as best as possible for when the mega event arrives.”
Luden added that he was looking forward to the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, and with the right attitude in the training camp, Pakistan could get positive results from the series.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2014.
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Mr. Flower, nice to see you with Pakistan cricket team. The only problem with Pakistani players is they don,t want to learn. Further an aggressive leader is needed to bring maximum out of these players, no doubt they are very talented, GOD gifted, but they never come up from a proper system like in Australia, South Africa etc. Pakistani players are needed more mental toughness as well as proper technique. Good luck to your new assignments.
Haaah! Mr Flower we have been listening to this flair & style homily for that many years. Yes, Bangladesh has improved but Pakistani players need a transplant...a brain transplant. Thanx & have a nice day.